One person had hung back after the others had left. Not really hiding, but just making herself inconspicuous as everyone else returned to whatever they were doing. She saw Jack O'Neill heading across the room, obviously planning on talking to Ian Brooks, and stepped in between Ian's bed and McKay's, knowing she needed to make her pitch before too many other people made their own. Both of them looked up at her as she did so, Ian looking curious, McKay looking smug.

"You came back to hear the rest of the story?" he guessed.

Weir smiled and shook her head.

"No."

His face fell, and she looked over at Ian.

"Lieutenant Brooks? Can I have a word with you?" she looked around the semi-crowded room. "Privately?"

He frowned, but it wasn't his usual annoyed expression. He just couldn't figure out what she might want. McKay had already told her about Atlantis (which seemed to be her biggest interest) and she was way too old for him so he didn't think she was interested in him personally – at least he hoped not. It was a lock that she didn't want fashion advice from him.

"About what?"

She hesitated.

"I'd really like to discuss that privately. Please?"

"Whatever it is," McKay said, "I'm sure I could-"

"I need to talk to Lieutenant Brooks," Weir interrupted, as O'Neill reached the bed. "It should only take a moment."

"What's this?" Jack asked, curiously.

"She wants to talk to him," Rodney said, his expression torn between annoyance and disbelief. "Alone."

Jack looked at Weir, and then at Ian, and shrugged.

"Okay."

He could wait.

Ian scowled. He'd kind of hoped that Jack was there to talk to him, and had wanted a chance to apologize for being such an asshole. And to see if maybe he had any idea where the stupid Homeworld Defense Organization was going to based.

Weir looked at him hopefully, though, and he sighed and threw back the blankets.

"Fine. But if I get my ass chewed for being out of bed, you're going to take the blame."

Weir smiled.

"Sounds fair."

Jack flopped down indelicately on Ian's bed as the New Yorker abandoned it, putting his hands behind his head and looking over at him.

"Don't worry, Ian," he said with a smirk. "I'll keep it warm."

Ian resisted the urge to flip him off, but he did roll his eyes, and he didn't bother to hide his sarcasm with his response.

"Thanks, Jack. You're too kind."

OOOOOOOOO

Janet had gone to check on Ben while the President used her office, and was less than amused to find Jack O'Neill in Ian's bed when she returned only a few minutes later.

"What are you doing?"

He gave her an innocent look.

"Resting. I've had a long week."

"Where's Lieutenant Brooks?"

Jack noticed that when she was annoyed with him, the boy was Lieutenant Brooks, but when she was worried about him, he was Ian.

"Doctor Weir borrowed him."

"She wanted to talk to him," McKay added, still annoyed, but obviously looking forward to Ian getting a little of the same treatment he'd received only that morning when he'd been caught out of bed without her permission.

"About what?"

Jack shrugged.

"Don't know. They won't be gone long, I'm sure."

He didn't want her to get mad at Ian, since he wanted a chance to talk to him, too.

She frowned, but shrugged, perhaps thinking the same thing.

"Well… I suppose it's all right this time."

"What?" This was from McKay, who had faced her wrath only that morning for being out of bed without her permission. "I got chewed out big time this morning and you're going to let him-"

"McKay, shut up."

Jack had heard plenty. Too much, even. He didn't really even like McKay – and couldn't believe that Ian did.

Amazingly, McKay just huffed, and fell silent.

OOOOOOOOO

She led him out of the room and into the corridor before she looked around.

"Is there someplace we can talk?"

Ian shrugged, but pointed to a number of small rooms – mostly supply closets. It'd look bad if they were caught, but they were the closest places, and he really didn't feel like walking all the way down the corridor to the medical consulting rooms, which were the closest actual meeting rooms.

"As long as you're not worried about your reputation…"

She smiled as she caught his meaning. While he was a handsome young man, he was far too young for her tastes – and a little more arrogant than she preferred. Besides, she had a man in her life.

"I'll take that chance."

He led her into the nearest closet, which was fairly large and well lit and politely held the door for her. See? He had manners.

"What can I do for you, Doctor Weir?"

She hesitated, obviously trying to decide where to start.

"What are your plans for the future?"

"What?"

"What are you planning on doing now that Colonel O'Neill is moving on?"

Ian scowled at the reminder.

"I haven't decided."

He had been about to say that he hadn't thought about it, but really he had. He just hadn't had a clue, really. He was finding himself right back where he'd started; without a clue of what he wanted to do with himself. Only now he wasn't in the academy where he had time to decide.

She crossed her arms over her chest, giving him an appraising look.

"You know I'm interested in Atlantis, right?"

He bit back the smart assed comment he almost made, and nodded instead.

"I've noticed, yeah."

Obsessed would have been the word he'd have used.

"I'm talking to the President about continuing our interests there…"

Since she'd mentioned going back to Atlantis just that morning, Ian simply waited for her to continue, uncertain what she wanted from him. When Weir realized he wasn't going to respond, she continued.

"I was hoping that if you haven't decided what you want to do in the near future you might be willing to accompany my group."

"Accompany you? Where?"

"Atlantis."

Ian sighed. What was it about Atlantis that had her and Daniel both so crazy?

"How do you plan on getting there? The ZPM is powering the Ancient weapon in Antarctica, and it's the only one-"

"We could borrow it."

"And how are you going to get home?"

"We'll figure that out when we get there."

He shook his head.

"That's piss-poor planning."

"That's why I could use you. To help me plan. Doctor McKay has already agreed to help, but he doesn't know the place like they say you do. You've been there more than once – and you have the knowledge of the Ancients in your head. I want this to succeed, and I need you."